Callum Smith will take into account his future within the ring after admitting it was ‘hard to accept he’s not the most effective’ following his crushing defeat by Artur Beterbiev.
The Liverpool light-heavyweight was stopped within the seventh spherical by the good Russian-born Canadian in Quebec City on the weekend. Smith, 33, has solely suffered two profession defeats with the opposite coming at super-middleweight towards Canelo Alvarez.
But, after his bid to develop into a two-weight world champion got here up brief towards the IBF, WBO and WBC king, he’s now contemplating retirement.
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“It’s time to assess the future to see if I’ve got any goals to motivate me to go back to the gym,” Smith stated. “I’ve always wanted to be the best. I’ve always believed I was the best and now it’s hard to accept I’m not.
“I’ve obtained an incredible household at residence. I give rather a lot to boxing. Win or lose, I did not wish to keep in boxing for a very long time.” Smith, who formerly held the WBA super-middleweight crown, was a live underdog in Beterbiev’s latest defence of the titles.
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(Image: Sky Sports)
But with simply six rounds underneath his belt in two wins since he misplaced to Canelo in December 2020, it was all the time going to be a tricky ask for the Liverpudlian. Beterbiev, now 20-0 as knowledgeable with all wins coming by stoppage, began at a frantic tempo in a 18ft ring suited to his fashion of strolling down his prey.
The Russian, who was given the all clear to combat regardless of an atypical discovering in a Voluntary Anti-Doping Association take a look at for Human Growth Hormone and a testosterone metabolite, appeared sharp from the off at the same time as his thirty ninth birthday approaches.
Smith had some success within the second and sixth when he went to the physique and was in a position to push again the defending champion momentarily. But Beterbiev was not often flustered and went up a gear within the seventh as he floored Smith after a barrage of photographs which included a cuffing blow across the again of the top.
(Image: Getty Images)
Smith beat the rely however one other onslaught noticed coach Buddy McGirt name for the bout to be stopped by referee Michael Griffin. Beterbiev is now set to face WBA champion and fellow Russian Dmitry Bivol subsequent in an undisputed light-heavyweight showdown.
The pair have agreed a deal to face one another in Saudi Arabia later this yr in what will likely be a highly-anticipated contest for all 4 belts between two unbeaten foes.
(Image: Getty Images)
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“I need a fourth belt. It would mean in this category I have done my work,” stated Beterbiev. While his promoter Bob Arum added: “Ramadan ends a while in [the] center of April. About three months [after the] finish of Ramadan, we will likely be able to combat Bivol in Riyadh.”